Table 1: Examples of prodrug and the purpose of modification.

Parent Drug Prodrug Reason of Modification
Amoxicillin Sarmoxicillin Increase distribution
Ampicillin Bacampicillin, Pivampicillin, Talampicillin Increase distribution
Ampicillin Hetacillin Enhance Bioavailability Increase stability
Carbencillin Carfecillin, Carindacillin Enhance Bioavailability
Chloramphenicol Chloramphenicol palmitate ester Improve Taste
Chloramphenicol Chloramphenicol succinate ester Water solubility
Clindamycin Clindamycin palmitate ester Improve taste
Clindamycin Clindamycin 2’ phosphate ester Decrease pain on injection
Cefamandole Cefamandole nafate ester Stability
Cycloserine Pentizidone Stability
Diethylstilbesterol Fostestrol Decrease gastric distress
Dopamine L-dopa Delivery to brain
Epinephrine Dipirefrin Corneal penetration
Erythromycin Erythromycin ethylsuccinate Gastric stability
Estradiol Estradiol cypionate Extend duration
Elilefrine Elilefrine stearate ester Bioavailability
Fluphenazine Fluphenazine decanoate Long acting depot injections
Formaldehyde Methenamine Urinary tract delivery
Metronidazole Amino acid esters, Water solubility
  Benzoyl derivative Mask taste
Naloxone Mono and disulphate ester Extend duration
Nitrogen Mustard Amide derivative Delivery to neoplastic tissue
Salicylic acid Salsalate Gastrointestinal tolerance and bioavailbility
Sulfisoxazole Acetyl esters Improve taste
Testosterone Testosterone propionate Extend duration
Triamcinolone Acetonide Increase topical activity